Corrosive ash fallout from the massive eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano last year has triggered a series of power outages on Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, beginning September 2022. Tonga Power, the island’s electricity provider, has termed the situation a “crisis” due to the unprecedented damage to the High Voltage Aerial Bundled Cabling across the island.
Rapid land elevation near Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano indicated the formation of a new magma chamber, prompting warnings of a potential volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the weeks or months to come. The Icelandic Meteorological Office urged caution, especially for those planning outdoor activities in the region.
Significant activity was reported at Russia’s Bezymianny volcano from 19:00 to 20:30 UTC on October 16, 2023. Large hot avalanches collapsed on the eastern slopes, and an ash plume reached a height of 3.5 km a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code was elevated from Yellow to Orange.
Two shallow earthquakes registered by GSRAS as M5.8 and M5.9 hit southern Iran at 04:59 UTC (08:29 LT) and 05:10 UTC (08:40 LT), respectively, on October 17, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). USGS registered them as M5.1 and M5.5.
As of October 15, 2023, devastating flash floods and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) have resulted in 100 fatalities in the states of Sikkim and West Bengal in northeastern India. The events, which began on October 4 along the Teesta River, have also left 76 people missing, 30 injured, and have displaced 2 321 individuals into 20 relief camps.
On October 13, 2023, an overflow from the Akosombo Dam in the River Volta led to flooding in south-eastern Ghana, particularly in the Volta Region. The event resulted in seven injuries and the displacement of over 4 000 people. Essential services like water and electricity were also disrupted.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.6 ± 0.3 was recorded in Campi Flegrei, Italy, at 12:36 UTC on October 16, 2023, initiating a new earthquake swarm. The event comes amid rising concerns over the area’s seismic activity.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit Anreanof Islands, Alaska at 11:35 UTC on October 16, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 187 km (116 miles).
A massive sandstorm swept through several areas of Jordan, including the city of Azraq and the capital Amman, on October 15, 2023. The event resulted in drastically reduced visibility and poor air quality, prompting local authorities to issue multiple safety warnings.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 at 03:36 UTC (08:06 local time) on October 15, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 8 km (5 miles). This region of Afghanistan was hit by a total 4 of M6.3 earthquakes (USGS) since October 7 when twin M6.3s killed more than 2 400 people.
